I Am Not A Freeloader
“Freeloader” is a word the older generation uses to label the younger generation. However, some people think that the “Lion Rock Spirit” in the past that aimed for working hard does not satisfy the needs of this generation. In order to pursue freedom, they use their own methods to pursue their dreams for self-fulfillment. Karis Law Hoi Man (羅海憫) is a freelance performer. She sings in coffee shops and shopping malls. She also performs on stage and takes jobs in filming and advertising. She is influenced by her parents who led her to believe that young people need not follow traditional paths. Living in the present is more important. Her dream is to be a performer who could do a world concert tour one day. | After the singing contest at a TV station, Sophy Wong (王嘉儀) gave up the chance to sign a contract. She studied Law in the Chinese University of Hong Kong but wants to be a musician. She hopes that she can use music to express herself and produce her own music, integrating music from the world into Cantopop. | Yau Wai Ching (游蕙禎) was disqualified to be a legislative councilor after the Hong Kong Legislative Council oath-taking controversy. She does not care about accusation of being a “freeloader”. She believes in doing things she perceives as right. | Jackie Lau (劉展翹), an Internet celebrity, pursues her actress dream by taking advantage of the high penetration of social network, and using creativity to link together the public. Her family worries about her unstable work and income but she doesn't care. In the past few years, live streaming became popular and this became the new method for her to interact with Internet users. | The Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies of the Chinese University of Hong Kong has done a study last year on the difficulties of upward social mobility and political participation of young people. The result shows that what young people in the new generation pursue is different from that in the older generation… Scholar Dr. Wong Tze Wai (黃子為) thinks that there is a similar view about “freeloader” in every generation…
「廢青」是不少上一代用來標籤年輕人的代名詞。不過,有人認為,以往「獅子山下」式的耕耘與拼搏,不再適用於這個世代。為了追求「海闊天空」式的自由意志和自我認同,他們就用自己的方式,向夢想努力進發。羅海憫是自由身表演者,在咖啡廳和商場唱歌,也有參演舞台劇,接拍電影和廣告等。她受父母影響,認為年輕人不一定要墨守成規,活在當下是很重要的。她的夢想成為世界巡迴表演者。電視台的歌唱比賽後,王嘉儀放棄簽約的機會。她在中大修讀法律系,卻想做音樂人。她希望用音樂來表達自己,建立自己的音樂,把各地不同的音樂,融入廣東歌中。游蕙禎因宣誓案而被撤銷議員資格,吐露自己的心聲。對於「廢青」的罵名,她並不在意,認為只需要做自己覺得正確的事。網絡紅人劉展翹追逐演員夢,把握社交網絡的高效優勢,用創意連結大眾。家人擔心她的工作和收入不穩定,她卻置之不理。近年,直播熱潮興起,也成為她和網民交流的新方式。中大香港亞太研究所在去年進行了有關年輕人向上流動困難和政治參與的研究。結果顯示,新一代年輕人追求的,已經與舊時年代有所不同。……學者黃子為認為,所謂「廢青」的標籤,其實每個年代都有類近的看法……